ComEd Launches $1B Grid Expansion for Major Data Center Growth

ComEd $1 billion transmission expansion to bring enhanced reliability and power data centers moving to the region

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ComEd today joined business and community leaders to break ground on a significant expansion of an electrical substation located in Elk Grove Village. The expansion of this substation is part of an 11 project, $1 billion capital investment, that will support economic growth, increased transmission capacity and bring enhanced reliability to serve existing customers and data centers in the growing northwest suburban business corridor and greater Western O’Hare region of Illinois. The impacted data centers represent nearly 1.9 GW of energy growth in the area.

“This project is part of a broader effort by ComEd to ensure northern Illinois has a robust portfolio of energy infrastructure, fully capable of supporting the growth of businesses and meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd. “With best-in-class reliability, the ComEd grid will continue to play a pivotal role in achieving economic development goals for both the region and the state.”

The project is the continuation of more than $1 billion in planned projects by ComEd to enhance its transmission infrastructure in this area over the next few years as it prepares to meet evolving power demands of its customers, including the recent increase in large commercial projects.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the expansion of ComEd’s existing substation in our community,” said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig B. Johnson. “It’s a powerful next step towards strengthening our infrastructure and supporting the ever-growing energy needs of our large power users. This investment ensures we’re not just keeping pace with demand, but hopefully laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future. It reflects our commitment to economic development, innovation and to the businesses that choose to call Elk Grove Village home.”

ComEd began construction on the existing Elk Grove transmission substation in 2019 to help ensure transmission capacity for the area, which has seen strong growth in recent years tied to data centers and other high density load projects. Access to power is increasingly important for customers in their decision on where to locate their operations. ComEd is focused on investments needed to serve evolving demand for power, all while upholding its industry leading reliability and resiliency. In 2024, ComEd secured approval on a multiyear grid plan that will support continued advancements in critical power delivery infrastructure.

“Infrastructure is one of Chicagoland’s greatest competitive advantages—and today’s announcement by ComEd is a powerful example of how forward-looking investment supports forward-moving growth,” said Kyle Schulz, Chief Growth Officer, World Business Chicago. “From data centers to advanced manufacturing, companies choose the Chicagoland region because of its unmatched access to power, talent, and connectivity. This investment doesn’t just strengthen the grid—it reinforces the region’s position as a national leader in innovation, resilience, and economic opportunity.”

Engineering and design for this $155 million project began in 2024 and construction is currently underway. The construction is being completed by a diverse, local firm, Ruiz Construction Systems.

“The expansion of this facility underscores ComEd’s enduring commitment to strengthening northern Illinois’ energy infrastructure. Ruiz Construction Systems was proud to support the successful construction of this substation in 2019, and we are honored one again to contribute to the growth and advancement of this critical asset,” said Brayant Ruiz, VP of Administration at Ruiz Construction Systems. “This development reflects the region’s continued growth and ComEd’s dedication to meeting the evolving energy needs of the communities it serves. Each project reinforces a culture of innovation and forward progress. For nearly two decades, Ruiz has been privileged to support ComEd’s mission to build, enhance and adapt the region’s energy systems. We remain committed to these efforts, to our partnership with ComEd and to advancing electrical innovation across Illinois.”

At the conclusion of this upgrade, the expanded substation will have new gas insulated switchgear (GIS) equipment and 345-138kW transformers to support the necessary expansion and grid hardening of the bulk transmission electrical system for the region. This upgrade to more compact and efficient equipment will boost the capacity of the substation while minimizing land expansion. Construction surrounding this specific expansion is now underway, and the project is expected to be completed by December 2026, enabling the successful growth of future projects in the area.

ComEd’s investments in modernizing the grid have led to record-breaking advancements in reliability and are helping bring more businesses to the region every year. Last year alone, ComEd helped bring 15 new commercial projects to northern Illinois, with these facilities set to add nearly 1,400 jobs and more than $17 billion in local capital investment from those new businesses.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 company and one of the nation’s largest utility companies, serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information, visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.